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Everyone loves plants, but not everyone has the right conditions or knowledge to grow them – until now. Houseplants are generally easy to care for, especially the most popular ones sold in nurseries and garden centers everywhere. Even if you live in an apartment with no natural light, it is possible to grow beautiful indoor plants that will add life and color to the space around you. Best of all, many of these plants can be grown using just a small amount of water weekly, like the monstera plant. So get ready to welcome your new green friends into your home.
Choosing an Indoor Plant
Some indoor plants are more suitable than others for particular conditions. For example, cacti and succulents will not fare well in humid homes, while certain ferns prefer high humidity. But if there is one group of common houseplants that everyone can grow successfully, it’s flowering plants in insect-pollinated families. These are the top indoor plants that everyone should grow with little trouble.
1. Calathea Plant
The Calathea family consists of 40 different species of plants that are native to the tropical regions of Central and South America. These members of the Marantaceae family spread their roots into a soil substrate, create a rhizome just below the surface, and then grow shoots from each node. When grown outdoors, these shoots produce large arrow-shaped leaves up to a meter long. Their zebra-like markings and arrowhead-shaped leaves characterize the Calathea varieties; they require very little care and can even survive for months without water. Calathea prefers a shady spot in moist but not soggy soil, unlike most other houseplants.
2. Poinsettia
While the shiny leaves of the poinsettia are often tipped in red, yellow, or pink, they can be found in many different colors. Poinsettias are typically grown outdoors, where they bear large clusters of flowers with a milky latex sap that is irritating to skin and possibly poisonous if ingested. However, these popular holiday plants are close relatives to the humble leafy spurge, Euphorbia esula. Although poinsettias are commonly grown as houseplants, many people have noticed that these plants can be fussy about their care. This is especially true when grown in low light or with too much water.
3. Dracaena
There are over 50 types of Dracaena that can be grown as houseplants. This is the most popular indoor plant in the world. It was also one of the first plants to be sold commercially by tissue culture. There are many different species and cultivars in various sizes and leaf colorations. Typically they have arching leaves with saw-toothed edges and a central vein that fans out along the leaf midrib. When exposed to sufficient sunlight, some types develop red, pink, or yellow hues on their foliage. Dracaenas should remain healthy with some help from you now and then.
4. Peace Lily
Peace lilies are popular indoor plants because they tolerate bad conditions, including shady spots or dry air next to an open window. They do best in bright but indirect sunlight and produce beautiful white blooms throughout the summer. Peace lilies are native to rainforests on the margins of South America, so they have adapted to grow under low light and high humidity; this makes them a favorite houseplant for many people who also prefer to grow tropicals. These plants like moist soil at all times and should be kept wet (but not soggy). To avoid toxic build-up in the soil, it is a good idea to repot your peace lily every 1-2 years.
5. English Ivy
English ivy is a popular plant for hanging baskets and spilling over the edges of containers. It also makes a good choice for growing on a sunny windowsill. Ivy likes well-drained soil, so it’s best to put gravel in the bottom of hanging baskets before filling them with potting mix. The most common variety of English ivy has variegated leaves that add color to shady spots where other plants might struggle. This plant doesn’t require much care but can be fussy about being overwatered or sitting in waterlogged soil. If you have one, give it a try.
6. Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums aren’t just for fall harvest festivals and Thanksgiving. Over 30,000 cultivars of this plant can be grown as indoor houseplants. The most popular types are the Mums, which have flat petals with fringed edges; these plants come in different colors, including white, yellow, red, and burgundy. There are also other varieties like Chrysanthemum coronarium (the crown daisy), which has single-petalled flowers on top of dark green foliage; it can survive temperatures down to 25 ˚F (-3 ˚C). These plants prefer bright but indirect sunlight throughout the day and should be watered moderately. They do not like soggy soil or sitting in water.
Many indoor houseplants are available at good garden centers, nurseries, and online retailers. They can be pruned during the growing season to encourage new growth and sometimes produce tiny white flowers when given enough light. It is crucial to remember that all plants require care to look their best; these six popular houseplants are no exception.